Saturday, June 28, 2014

Boney

This morning started off early with the alarm going off at 3am. I got to the river with plenty of time to get to the holes I planned to fish, or so I thought. The river was pretty boney this morning. I've seen it low but it is really low right now. Even with the Mokai it took forever to get down river. I have been running this section for years and have never had to get out and pull the Mokai through so many shoals as I did today. Lots of places the Mokai was dragging bottom, which it only drafts a few inches empty. The fishing started of good with a couple nice smallmouth right off the bat on a crease fly. Then it pretty much just shut down, and then picked up rather nicely later in the morning. I fished the latest fly in the box and caught pretty much everything on it: Smallmouth, spotted bass, drum and the catfish really seemed to like it. The suckers are spawning on the shoals right now and the catfish are stacked up behind them eating eggs. I see the suckers often but haven't caught many of them. Wish there was a way to get them to take a fly more often because they put up an awesome fight. 

Nice Smallie on a crease fly.

This fish was probably 17" or so. 

Very fun fish, anyone know what species 
of sucker this is?

Does this count as 2 fish? Lol, Spotted bass still
digesting a perch.

This spotted bass took the new fly, notice the 
rain coming down. 

I've always enjoyed catching these fish. 
There actually kinda pretty. 


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Dub me some Duane Hada

If your not familiar with Duane Hada's Craft Fur Clouser, check out the video Dally's Ozark Flyfishers' put together.


Its a sweet fly and the craft fur gives it a ton of movement in the water. I wanted something with a little more meat and still swam hook point up. So this is what the vise was able to spit out tonight.

Start off just like any other clouser.

Next tie in your belly.

Take a pinch of ice dubbing and tie down behind the eyes.
You just secure the dubbing down right in the middle and fold back.
It only takes a few wraps, then advance your thread to in front of the eyes.

Tie in your back.

Next tie in another pinch of dubbing on the top and bottom of the hook shank.

Fold the dubbing back over its self.
Make a few wraps right behind the eye of the fly and tie off with a whip finish.
Hit the dubbing with a brush to blend and smooth it out.
Hope yall like it. 


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Carp'n Video

Little video I put together from the other days carp fishing. Nothing to great but a fun day on the lake nonetheless.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

More than Carp on the Menu

Had a good morning at the lake today. Something I like to do when I go carp fishing is to get to the lake at daylight. Obviously there is not enough light to sight cast to carp but what you can do is work the edges of the flats for bass, bluegills and other game fish. You can throw your same carp flies or tie on something else while you wait for there to be enough light to start searching for carp. This morning I caught several giils, some small drum and catfish, a crappie and several bass including a dang nice bass on the 3wt. It was defiantly the best LMB I've caught on a 3wt. I throw a TFO Finesse 7-9" 3wt which is a sweet rod.

Didn't get a weight or measurement, 
probably 21-22" fish. 

Bucket Mouth

Yes she ate this little fly believe it or not. 

The carp fishing was pretty good considering partly cloudy conditions and a steady south wind. I think I ended with 4 carp and so did Justin. I got some pretty good video I will be putting together for a short action packed clip. Look for that coming in the next few days.

Calf deep mud, just part of Texas carp fishing. 





Zebra mussels just got into this lake. They attach themselves to everything, but I was surprised to see them on this freshwater clam.  


Short video coming soon!



Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Monday, June 2, 2014

Tiger Musky; Land of the Enchantment

Just got back from a quick but incredible fishing trip in New Mexico chasing Tiger Musky on the fly. With vertical "tiger" like strips; Tiger Muskies are a hybrid/cross between a male Northern pike and female Muskellunge. These sterile fish can grow up to 1.5 times as fast as a true Muskellunge. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to chase an Esox. I've caught a few chain pickerel in Texas but I don't think either one of those fish broke the 2 lb mark. These pickerel are in the Esox family but not exactly a muskellunge.

I got turned on to this lake a few years ago in New Mexico from a local fishing forum. I had plans to go chase these Tigers a few years ago but my plans fell through. I put this trip back together about 6 months ago with Fish Enchantment Guides. Speaking with head guide and owner Matt Pelletier about the fishery, looking at moon phases and getting clearance from the Queen of the house, I got a kitchen pass for a quick weekend trip. With Albuquerque being just an hour and a half flight from Dallas and Bluewater Lake being roughly 80 miles from the airport. It is the perfect fishery for a quick weekend trip. Also its only 2 hours from the San Juan if you want to mix in one of the best tailwater trout fisheries into your trip. Matt set me up with one of his guides David Goodrich. David has fished all over Colorado and New Mexico. He also runs Tumbleweed Fly and Tackle which is just a mile from Bluewater lake. Its a great place to stop by for the hottest fly patterns, current fishing report or some last minute supplies. Another great source of information and very important organization regarding the future of Tiger Musky in New Mexico is the New Mexico Muskie Inc.

Now on to the fishing. Musky are known as the fish of 10,000 cast. I don't know how many fish I had follow the fly to my feet and then just sit there looking at the fly. They were probably laughing at my pathetic attempts to fool them as they swam off into deeper water. David Goodrich did a great job of putting me on fish and teaching me everything he knew about Tiger Musky. They are an awesome fish and Bluewater lake is an awesome little fishery. Matt and David are top notch folks that I am glad to call friends. It is always nice when one goes fishing and walks away with new friends and memories that will last a life time. It is defiantly a place I will be back to and I couldn't recommend FE Guides enough.

Couldn't be happier with my first Tiger Musky.
Belly full of trout.

These teeth will cut 60lb mono like it was nothing. 

A 8" double deceiver engulfed.   

Musky #2

Always practice catch and release. 

David would rather see other people catch fish, but I made
him fish for a little bit with me. 

Bluewater lake sunset with the great divide in the 
background.